The attack on our railways

The government’s Rail Command Paper sets out its vision for the future of our railways, and it’s a frightening read for those of us who rely on the country’s rail network.

They want the industry to find huge cost savings, and have made clear that these savings must come at the expense of passengers and railway workers, not the private train operators. In fact, private operators are to be rewarded with longer franchises and greater freedom.

The government’s strategy for rail is a direct attack on the services you rely on and the staff that deliver them. What’s more, it will lead to more inefficiency, fragmentation and money diverted away from investment into the profits and dividends of private train operators.